Distinguished Alumna

BIOGRAPHY

Olivia Swager devoted her career to the Clinical Laboratory and spent most of that career as an ardent advocate for the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program at Loma Linda University. After graduating from the Medical Technology program, now known as CLS, she worked at the Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) Laboratory, becoming a Clinical Instructor and Technical Specialist. She moved across the street to the Faculty Medical Laboratory and eventually became their Chief Technologist after earning her Master’s Degree in Management. Olivia then spent a few years with a Hospital Information Management company, advancing to Senior and Lead Analyst positions while helping laboratory professionals develop and install new electronic medical record systems. In the ‘90s, she returned to the clinical lab as a Department Director for Tenet Healthcare System in Irvine. A few years later, she then “came home” to Loma Linda as the Executive Director for the LLUMC Clinical Lab. For 20 years, she served in that capacity, defending and supporting the CLS department, fostering a strong relationship between the academic programs and the hospital departments for their mutual benefit, up until her retirement last year. Olivia has been a model of professionalism, not only by rising through the ranks to administrative positions, but also by serving as president of the Loma Linda University Medical Technology Alumni Association, as exhibit manager for the CSMT annual meeting, and as an active member of numerous other professional organizations. Olivia’s quiet humility has also inspired many to achieve more in their own careers. The Clinical Laboratory Science Department is proud to recognize and honor Olivia Swager as the 2021 Distinguished Alumna.